Rising Costs of Pet Ownership Linked to Tariffs, Shelters Face Increased Surrender Rates
By Lauren Avenatti | May 1, 2025
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Pet ownership costs rise fast. Families pay more. Shelters bear the load. Forbes shows a 10‑year‑old dog costs near $34,550. A 16‑year‑old cat costs about $32,170. These sums shock many.
Devon Strief works at the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center. She sees these numbers. “The number was really mind‑blowing to me,” she said. Strief adds that pet care costs often stay hidden.
Economic Pressures and Tariffs
Tariffs add weight to these costs. Tariffs started under Trump. They push pet costs higher. Families worry more. Shelters, like the Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center, now expect more animal surrenders.
Darlene Olshansky, a volunteer and pet trainer, sees a trend. “They get a pet and take it home. Then they see that costs soar. Soon, many pets end up in shelters,” she said. This pattern shows how hard long‑term care is.
Impact on Shelters and Animal Care
Shelters face deeper problems. Tariffs, job losses, and housing stress make pet care tough. Families must pay for vet care and food. Extra costs pile on. Strief says these pressures hurt the whole community.
Shelters overflow. “There are rescues with too many animals,” Strief stated. They lack enough cages and proper space. This harms pets and burdens workers.
Advice for Potential Pet Owners
The Iowa City Animal Care and Adoption Center asks new pet owners to research well. People must learn all costs before adopting. This careful check helps families and pets.
Communities now work under tight budgets. Responsible pet adoption matters more than ever. Strief and her team care deeply. They ask future pet owners to plan for long‑term needs.
For more updates on community issues and animal welfare, stay connected with our ongoing news coverage.
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